Hello! My name is Journey and I have been a Birth and Postpartum Doula, Certified Massage Therapist (specializing in Prenatal and Postpartum massage), and a Prenatal Yoga instructor serving the South Bay Area and Santa Cruz communities for the last 6 years. I am starting my Nurse Midwife Training at UCSF in June, 2009. For this reason, I will be unable to take on Doula clients for this summer of 2009. I will no longer be teaching Prenatal and Postpartum yoga. I will be seeing massage clients at my Office in Los Gatos on a limited basis. Please call me or email me through the website to set up an appointment. I wish you all the best on your path through pregnancy, birth and beyond.

I trained as a Birth and Postpartum Doula at Twin Lakes College of the Healing Arts in Santa Cruz and with DONA. I have additional Postpartum training as a Certified Lactation Educator and Infant Massage Educator. I hold a degree in Women’s Studies with an emphasis in Women’s Health from University of California, Santa Cruz. The goal of all my education and training is towards fulfilling my vision of working with women to facilitate Self Empowerment and Self-love through knowing and trusting in their own bodies. I choose to focus on the Childbearing years because this is when women are simultaneously at their most powerful and vulnerable. Bringing a child into the world is a unique experience for each mother and her partner. I believe that every birthing couple has the right to be fully educated and supported in their birth choices.

The typical Birth Doula Package I offer includes: one Consultation, two prenatal visits (or more as needed), one prenatal massage, continuous support during labor and delivery, and one post-partum visit. Further prenatal/postpartum massages may be booked at a discounted rate.

As of the time of hire I am available to you via telephone or e-mail twenty-four hours a day. During our consultation and prenatal visits we will talk about your vision for your birth and will work together to address any questions or concerns you may have. If I have not met your care provider, I am also more than happy to accompany you to one of your prenatal visits, if you would like (having your Doula and your care provider meet prior to your birth can facilitate a better working relationship between them during your birth). During the birth I will be with you continuously, offering emotional, physical and informational support; I will stay with you until you and your baby are resting comfortably. During our postpartum visit we talk about your birth experience and answer any questions (and/or provide referrals) you have about caring for your newborn.

I can also be available to you as a Postpartum Doula. The early Postpartum time can be a very challenging and isolating time for a new mother. As your Postpartum Doula I can help with infant care, breastfeeding support, mother and infant massage, etc. I also help you keep your home running smoothly so you can spend this precious time getting to know your newest family member.

I hope this gives you an idea as to what I can offer you and your family – please feel free to call me with any queries or to set up an interview. I wish you a beautiful and empowering Birth day!